Comedian Rachel Feinstein Returns To D.C.

Comedian Rachel Feinstein will be performing at the Riot Act Comedy Theater Friday and Saturday nights.

Comedian Rachel Feinstein returns to the D.C. area this weekend to perform at the Riot Act Comedy Theater in the District. Feinstein's official biography on her website says she grew up on the "ruthless" streets of Bethesda.

"My mom drove a red Datsun grocery-getter that terrified the entire neighborhood, says Feinstein. "I lived under the constant fear of knife fights on my way to Hebrew school."

It wasn't the neighborhood that formed Feinstein's comedy, but instead her family, who spawned some of the characters she portrays.

"I came up with this character called Ice Cold Rhoda where I review hip-hop as my grandma based on a Star of David rating system," she says. "She's sort of the world's oldest hater."

The character and Feinstein's love of hip-hop helped get her a spot on MTV's Hip-Hop Squares, an update of the classic game show Hollywood Squares. Another Bethesda native, Peter Rosenburg, hosts the show.

Feinstein's stand-up focuses a lot on her parents. Her mom is a social worker with a clinic in the District, while her dad is local musician, Hurricane Howie. They will both be there this weekend when their daughter talks about them onstage.

"She calls it my talent show, and she says 'Are you going to put me in your talent show tonight?'" says Feinstein. "They're so supportive, but it's still your parents. It's weird to say the things I say in front of them, to talk about sex or dating, or imitate them and mock them while they're sitting in the crowd smiling at me warmly. I feel slightly evil."

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